The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-03

THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.

message of the President of the Argentine
Republic, delivered at the opening of the ses-
sion of Congress in May. 1t is somewhat
remarkable that the people of the United
States should take so much more interest in
European countries, peoples and govern
ments than those of South America
Geographically speaking compare
lively near neighbors with the republics
of South America; politically speaking
they in sympathy with than
European governments are, and our CONNER
cial relations ought to be much closer with
them than with any of the transatlantic
countries. But. as matter of fact, we have
very little to do with our South American
neighbors and know very little about them.
The wisdom of this as a national policy is
very doubtful. Regarded either as an abstract
question of national duty. or in its relations
to possible developments of trade and COM
MERGE, it would seem to be the part of wisdom
for the government and people of the United
States to give much larger measure of at
tention and interest to South American coun-
tries than they have heretofore done. The
relation between the United States and the
South American republics ought to be one of
neghborly feeling, good understanding and
close and friendly communication. instead of
the cold and distant relation that now pre-
walls. The commanding position of the
United States among the nations and it's
manifest destiny as leader in the march of
duty in this regard that is further emphasized
by considerations of self-interest. This is to
cultivate close and friendly relations with
South American countries with double view
of i1hpressing American ideas and institutionE
on those countries and of benefting the
people of both by building up between them
a large and profitable commerce. The devel-
opment of this idea is one of the most inter-
esting problems that can engage the attention
of American statesmen and its Importance
will, we predict be far more generally recog-
nized generation or two hence than it is
to-day.
The message of President Juarez Celman is
an able state paper, and furnishes interesting
information relative to his government. The
Argentine Republic, may remark, has an
area more than forty times as large the
State of Indiana. Thus at glance we see
we do not own the earth The government is
a federal republic, modelled on the Constitu-
ton of the United States, except that the
Ministry is responsible to Congress, ad-
verse vote leading to the formation of a new
Cabinet. The Constitution and laws are lib
eral and conducive to good government. The
government embraces fourteen provinces
corresponding to our States. each of which
has a separate local government The
capital, Buenos Ayres is city of 2OO,0
population, and with all the attractive features
of a prosperous city. The country is thinly
inhabited, by simple, pastoral people. but
| possesses great agricultural and grazing re-
sources 1t is country worth knowing and
| cultivating. In opening his message Presi-
| dent Celman says:
'For long time past peace has been main
| tanned in the Republic The respect for our
| institutions and for the authorities which
| emanate from them is gaining ground in the
| conscience of tho people; and the citizens,
free from the prejudice which the possibility of
| revolution engengendered in them, now apply
| themselves to some profitable labor without
| emitting their civic duties In speaking of
| peace therefore. set forth decisive victory
| in our national life Foreigners Judge of our
| Importance more by the duration of our in
| ternal tranquility than by the richness of our
| soil or our written institutions. Under the
| influence of these, the Republic is making
| rapid strides, capital flows in. immigration in
| creases daily colonization and industry are
| rapidly gaining ground, and a great orening
| is afforded for moral and material advance
ment.
| The message, much like an annual message
of our own President, touches the different
bran ches of government and questions of
national interest. He recommends govern
ment control of railways and offers strong
reasons in favor Of it. He also recommends
| iudicious government aid to public works.
| He recommends the abolition of the free
postage, or franking privilege, as absolutely
necessary, if the republic wishes to
| place itself on par with other
nations" He states that the total imports
during the year 1856 were $118, 294. 1853, and
the exports $7S, 1872, $50. Of this considerable
trade the United States ought to have the
lions share but matter of fact they have
| very little. The financial budget is clearly
stated but need not be quoted here. The
banking system is intelligently discussed.
AS to the general condition of
business the President says: Commercial
prosperity, proved by figures and facts, is
growing rapidly, owing to the confidence
which firm aud lasting internal and ex-
! ternal peace affords, aud the powerful ele-